Elliot Mason

Elliot Mason (Trombone), born in England. He began trumpet lessons with his father at age four. At age seven, struck with an overwhelming curiosity in his father’s trombone, young Mason soon switched his focus from the trumpet.

As an eleven-year-old, Mr. Mason was already performing as a trombonist in dance halls, theaters, clubs, and pubs, covering all styles of music but concentrating primarily on jazz and improvisation. At fifteen, he won the national Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Soloist (under 25) Award and was featured at John Dankworth’s Wavendon Jazz School. Entering alternate age categories the next year, Elliot and his brother Brad, as the Mason brothers, won the national competition a second time and by age sixteen, Mr. Mason left England to join his brother at the Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts on a full tuition scholarship where he met and studied with Hal Crook and Phil Wilson, among others.

Elliot Mason (Trombone), born in England. He began trumpet lessons with his father at age four. At age seven, struck with an overwhelming curiosity in his father’s trombone, young Mason soon switched his focus from the trumpet.

As an eleven-year-old, Mr. Mason was already performing as a trombonist in dance halls, theaters, clubs, and pubs, covering all styles of music but concentrating primarily on jazz and improvisation. At fifteen, he won the national Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Soloist (under 25) Award and was featured at John Dankworth’s Wavendon Jazz School. Entering alternate age categories the next year, Elliot and his brother Brad, as the Mason brothers, won the national competition a second time and by age sixteen, Mr. Mason left England to join his brother at the Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts on a full tuition scholarship where he met and studied with Hal Crook and Phil Wilson, among others.

In 1994, Mr. Mason won the prestigious Frank Rosolino Award for outstanding trombone performance abilities, and was invited to perform at the International Trombone Workshop. At eighteen, he won the ITW ‘s Under 29 Jazz Trombone competition, as well as the Slide Hampton Award in recognition of outstanding performance abilities from Berklee. After graduating from Berklee in 1996, Mr. Mason moved to New York City, where he distinguished himself as a respected and highly in demand trombone and bass trumpet player.

In 2007, Elliot Mason was invited to become a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, directed by Wynton Marsalis. While continuing to perform with the JLCO, Mr. Mason co-leads the Mason Brothers Quintet with his brother Brad.

Mr. Mason joined Northwestern University’s faculty, in 2008, as their jazz trombone instructor/lecturer; he continues to be an integral part of Northwestern’s Jazz Studies Program.

In 2011, Mr. Mason was asked to join NYU’s faculty as a jazz trombone instructor within their extensive Jazz Studies Program.

Mr. Mason has served as a worldwide clinician, performing workshops and master classes, with the JLCO, the Mason Brothers Quintet, Northwestern University, NYU, the Randy Brecker Quintet, the Victor Goines Quintet and B.A.C. Trombones.

Mr. Mason has been called “One of the most important trombone voices of today’s generation” -Randy Brecker and “Setting the bar for jazz trombone,” bringing innovation, imagination, intelligence, fire and fierce swing to the trombone,” -Michael Brecker “One of the most compelling, moving and exhilarating musicians of today” ­-Gary Husband.

Mr. Mason is endorsed by B.A.C. musical instruments, he is currently playing on his own signature series line of custom trombones.

Elliot Mason has to be one of the most important trombone/bass trumpet voices
in modern music to emerge. He truly transcends the instruments he is
undoubtedly already so supremely proficient in mastering to a level where I
wasn't even aware it was trombone or a bass trumpet. To me, that's greatness. In
Elliot you experience everything, from the most profound lyricism right over to
the most intense, vital and truly electrifying

Elliot Mason has to be one of the most important trombone/bass trumpet voices
in modern music to emerge. He truly transcends the instruments he is
undoubtedly already so supremely proficient in mastering to a level where I
wasn't even aware it was trombone or a bass trumpet. To me, that's greatness. In
Elliot you experience everything, from the most profound lyricism right over to
the most intense, vital and truly electrifying. A most compelling, moving and
exhilarating musician of today.” ­-Gary Husband